SHAPIRO & BROWN has long concentrated its practice in the representation of mortgage lenders and servicers, providing foreclosure and related legal services. Each critical processing area has a tenured and experienced manager with a dedicated team, however, when required we assemble special teams to allow for maximum flexibility and operational versatility.

Shapiro & Brown's long-standing presence and active involvement within the mortgage default industry allow the organization to develop knowledge and experience that extends beyond routine processes into the daily operations of the industry. This experience enables the firm to cultivate a skilled management team with highly qualified attorneys and staff.

PRACTICE OVERVIEW

Shapiro & Brown is a full-service financial services law firm offering a comprehensive suite of creditors' rights practice areas which include residential and commercial bankruptcy, eviction, foreclosure, litigation and appellate practice, general real estate law and transactional services, as well as title law, REO closings, and replevin actions. Shapiro & Brown is equipped to safeguard creditors' interests across a wide array of real and personal property matters.

FORECLOSURE

Decades of experience providing a full range of state-wide creditor representation in all aspects of foreclosure for consumer lending and loan servicing clients for both residential and commercial properties.

Robust and continuously developed technology solutions provide the adaptability and flexibility required to promptly adjust to legal, regulatory or best practice developments, as well as the ebb and flow of processing demands, without compromising quality or compliance standards. Analytical tools provide insight into data metrics at every level of operations to ensure quality, manage variations from standard operating procedures and meeting or exceeding client standards and expectations in the handling of routine foreclosure matters.

Skilled and tenured individuals are engaged at each step along the process, from the intake of a new matter to title review through to the foreclosure sale and all post-sale matters, as well as preserving and pursuing deficiency judgments, when requested.

​The firm is adept at representing clients at hearings involving governmental ordinance violations that often accompany bank-owned properties, including negotiating with local authorities to protect the collateral.​

BANKRUPTCY

Experienced in all aspects of protecting creditors’ rights in bankruptcy, including Chapters 7, 11, 12 and 13, as well as associated adversary proceedings. Bankruptcy services include a review of the initial petition and all accompanying schedules; a full review of all related bankruptcy cases, including out of state filings, to determine their effect on the pending filing; appearance at Section 341 meetings, where applicable; preparation of proofs of claim and defending objections thereto; preparation and argument of motions for relief and/or motions for adequate protection; review and drafting of plan objections; review of Chapter 11 disclosure statements; and preparation of notice of payment changes and post-petition fee notices. Our bankruptcy group also handles contested matters, including but not limited to, motions to sell, standing challenges, response to final cure notices, reaffirmation agreements, as well as all types of bankruptcy appeals. The firm also represents creditors in consumer bankruptcy filings involving their automobiles. ​

COMMERCIAL LOAN SERVICES

Although most of the firm’s foreclosure practice includes recovering our clients’ secured residential properties, the firm also handles non-residential foreclosure matters and effectively and efficiently handles consumer collection matters involving obtaining possession of vehicles, equipment and other secured collateral.

EVICTION

Qualified attorneys are well-versed in providing legal representation in all aspects of possessory actions on a state-wide basis and in compliance with continuously evolving state and federal laws and regulations. Practiced attorneys obtain possession in conjunction with or independent of foreclosure representation and in ancillary actions to assist mortgage lenders in expediting the return of possession of the foreclosed property following the recovery of that asset in a foreclosure action.

​Services also include representation in more traditional landlord-tenant settings, including evictions on both residential and commercial rental properties, as well as actions in ejectment. The firm offers attendance at hearings on and resolving any defensive motions brought by the former owner or occupants state-wide. ​The firm has vast experience and strong working relationships with local agents to determine the status of the occupants in the property.

LITIGATION AND APPELLATE PRACTICE

Highly skilled and experienced representation in all substantive areas of real estate and creditors’ rights in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Proven results in handling discovery, depositions, and case dispositive motions and contested foreclosure matters throughout all jurisdictions. ​​The average length of experience for the firm's litigation attorneys is 16 years. The litigation group also includes an extensive appellate department bolstered by significant experience in title curative matters. The firm also has significant expertise in handling general commercial litigation matters, including those considered both routine and more complex.

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

The firm has decades of practical experience handling residential real estate closings, including title issue resolution, preparing closing documents, and facilitating settlement on time and compliant with contract terms. A diverse team of highly qualified professionals deliver a high degree of care and quality demanded to provide peace of mind and a stress-free experience.

TITLE CLEARANCE

Experienced attorneys and legal assistants conduct title curative alternatives and title claim administration. Proven results in effectively identifying and resolving a myriad of title defects and impediments, including legal description errors, breaks in the chain of title, unreleased liens, mobile home title conversion, homeowner association liens, delinquent taxes, code violations, and more. Qualified specialists ensure complete and timely title policy preparation and submission of final title processing for HUD and VA insured loans, as well as title insurance for REO properties resulting in successful conveyance without exceptions to title.

JOINED LOGS NETWORK

Local service, nationwide support.

For over three decades LOGS has practiced in the local market and today operates under the Shapiro & Brown brand. The firm began operations in Virginia in 1985 and added Maryland to its service footprint in 1986. Most recently, the firm has also expanded its practice into Mississippi and the District of Columbia.Meet our long-time legal and operational leaders below.

​Kristine D. Brown, Esq. joined the firm in 2001 as an Associate Attorney and was named Managing Partner in 2012. Recognized as a Top 25 Women of Law by DS News in 2020, Ms. Brown has significant experience within the default industry as an attorney and businesswoman and customer service for the firm’s clients is her highest priority.

Andrea Thompson has served as the Senior Director of Operations for all Shapiro & Brown offices since 2012. With the exception of several years spent with Freddie Mac’s Designated Counsel Program as a Senior Legal Analyst, Ms. Thompson has been with the firm since she started in 2000.

Andrea Thompson serves as the firm's Senior Director of Operations. Click the photo for full biography.

Shapiro & Brown is currently a member of the USFN and has been a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association since it's inception. The firm also maintains active memberships in state bar associations and bankruptcy bar associations throughout Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia, and the District of Columbia including American Legal & Financial Network, Legal League 100, National Creditors Bar Association, and NACTT. The firm also maintains active membership in local legal associations such as the Maryland Bankruptcy Association and the Virginia Bankruptcy Association.

Connecting with our communities.

Shapiro & Brown has a longstanding tradition of supporting local charities and good works throughout the firm's footprint. From the Literacy Council in Montgomery County, MD to a firehouse in Manassas, VA Shapiro & Brown is a proud supporter of its non-profit partners throughout Maryland, Virginia, and DC. The firm also assisted the Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands with painting the Queen Louise Home for Children. The firm also supports the Gerald & Olivia Shapiro Family Foundation. ​

When looking for local representation in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Mississippi, or Virginia, choose Shapiro & Brown. With physical offices in Lanham, MD; Flowood, MS; and Manassas and Chesapeake, VA, Shapiro & Brown offers the local staffing and legal expertise throughout its footprint to handle your local legal needs. On-boarding 32 states with cohesive operations, complementary practices, and common technology has never been easier. In fact, if you're looking for uncommon results, it's a single click away.

A portion of our practice involves the collection of debts. Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised this office may be attempting to collect a debt against you and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

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